De Selliers dies in PE, aged 79

PROMINENT businessman and humanitarian Chevalier Francois de Selliers de Moranville died at his Linkside home in Port Elizabeth at the weekend at the age of 79.

The Belgian-born man, who was widely respected as a “consummate gentleman” had extensive international business interests, but was more widely known as a former managing director of the Nelson Mandela Bay manufacturing concern Industex.

He is believed to have suffered cardiac arrest.

De Selliers, who played an important role in establishing the Amputee Support Group, which assists patients with both mobility and psychological services in the Bay, held the hereditary French title Chevalier (knight).

In a Facebook post announcing his death yesterday, one of De Selliers’s two stepsons, Cedric Vanderlinden, a director of contemporary art gallery Port Elizabeth Underculture, described his stepfather as unique and true.

“He lived life with a great appetite and curiosity. His enjoyment of knowledge was only matched by his love for his children and grandchildren, his family and his many, many friends. Few who met him were left untouched.

“At home, in museums, game drives, banks and the boardroom, his keen intellect, his guidance, his wisdom and his joy will be missed,” Vanderlinden wrote.

De Selliers’s funeral service will be held at St Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Eighth Avenue, Walmer, Port Elizabeth, at 10am on Saturday.